Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 303036 Inspection date 09 November 2005 Inspector Karen Cockings

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1989. She lives with her adult daughter in a village near Rotherham. The ground floor rooms of the house are used for childminding with access to the first floor rooms if needed. The integral garage has been converted into a playroom and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor activities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and currently minds five pre school children and three children of school age. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable environment where the childminder maintains good standards of hygiene and encourages the children to follow safe practice. They have easy access to toilet and hand washing facilities with suitable resources, such as steps and trainer seats to support their growing independence. The childminder spends time with parents in order to agree a consistent approach to potty training. There is a strong emphasis within the setting on the importance of healthy eating. Children enjoy fresh and dried fruits for snack and have regular drinks. A jug of juice or water is readily available so that older children can help themselves. They develop a good understanding about maintaining a healthy lifestyle because they are involved in activities such as making healthy eating posters and displays. The childminder also encourages them to check listed ingredients on tins and packets. Children are

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Helping children to be healthy

regularly involved in food preparation: they cut up fruit for fruit salad and take part in simple baking projects. Children enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise which contributes to their good health. The outdoor play space is well organised with a varied range of suitable resources to help children to develop physical skills. The childminder makes very good use of local provision to offer children a wider range of physical play experiences. For example, she takes children to events organised by the Park Rangers and to the mobile sports van. She attends workshops to help her to promote outdoor play and has a special bag of interesting resources and games which she uses with the children both indoors and outside. Children's health needs are met very well because the childminder makes sure she is informed of any special requirements. She protects children against infection by sharing her written policy with parents and providing them with information about

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Helping children to be healthy

communicable diseases. She provides support to parents if they have concerns about their child's health and encourages them to seek medical advice if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given high priority within the setting. The childminder has a responsible attitude towards safety issues and takes effective measures to keep children safe. For example, she ensures that appropriate equipment such as fireguard and safety gates are in place and that hazardous substances are locked away. She adapts the use of the outdoor play area according to the ages and abilities of children being cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children develop a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe. During outings they hold hands and practise crossing roads safely. The childminder reminds them not to run near the swings when they are playing in the park and how they can safely negotiate the steps in the garden. They learn how to use equipment, such as scissors, with care. Resources are routinely checked and small items stored out of the reach of young children. Children's safety in the event of a fire or other emergency is addressed well. The childminder complies with recommendations and ensures that she has equipment such as fire blanket and fire extinguisher readily available. Older children have been involved in drawing up the emergency evacuation plan which is displayed in the playroom. The childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection. She

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has attended some recent training to support her practice in this area and has devised a helpful policy which is shared with parents. This ensures that parents are made aware of the procedures she would have to follow if she were to have any such concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent range of activities in a comfortable and stimulating environment. The main playroom is set out invitingly with comfortable, child sized furniture and a varied selection of interesting resources. Children have many opportunities to learn and practise new skills, both indoors and outside. For example, older children learn how to fish and to use a wide variety of sports equipment. The childminder plans lots of interesting outings, including visits to Magna, to Elsecar Heritage Park and to local soft play centres. Regular visits are made to the mobile library which allows children to make their own choices and develop their interests. Children very much enjoy books and stories which are presented imaginatively, using home made story sacks. Younger children become totally immersed in the story as they excitedly explore the objects in the sack. The childminder uses opportunities and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

resources very well to promote children's learning and to provide challenge. For example, children identify the colours and count the cars as they set them out and they learn how to use scissors while making a collage picture. She organises treasure hunts in the sandpit using pebbles, shells and other natural materials to help children to learn about the world around them. She plans a focused activity each day, taking into account the ages and interests of the children attending. Children build positive relationships with the childminder and settle in well. They learn to share toys and equipment because the childminder explains the need to take turns and helps them to play cooperatively. Children's early language skills are well supported as she listens and talks to them as they play and engages them in conversations about what they are doing. She has recently introduced simple development diaries for the children in which she records details of children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

involvement in activities and any significant progress they are making, for example with settling in or learning a new skill.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are met successfully. The childminder makes sure that she talks to parents about children's normal routines so that she can provide continuity for them. This eases the settling in process and helps children to feel secure. They know that they are welcomed and valued because they see their work on display around the playroom and are encouraged to take an active part in the setting. For example, children see their own posters about healthy eating on the walls and they show pride in the lego models they have made which are clearly displayed and labelled. Children participate in a range of outings and activities that help to promote their awareness of the wider society. They have access to resources such as multi cultural dressing up clothes and books and the childminder makes good use of local provision so that she can access other materials to extend the variety she can offer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an understanding about differing needs because the childminder uses opportunities to show them equipment such as crutches and walking sticks and she talks to them about how and why a person may need to use them. Children learn to play harmoniously together. The childminder helps younger children to understand the need to share, while older ones are involved in drawing up and discussing the house rules which remind them of the importance of being kind to each other. They develop a sense of responsibility as they help to tidy away toys before moving on to the next activity, working well together, for example, to carry a box of toys back into the playroom. The childminder praises them and acknowledges when they have done well. There is a sound partnership with parents which is of clear benefit to children, because good verbal communication about children's needs enables the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to meet them effectively. She displays some useful information for parents in the playroom and talks to them on a daily basis about events and children's progress. Other written materials about the setting which would be helpful for new parents are more limited.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and well cared for in the setting which is organised effectively to support their play, learning and growing independence. Children are able to access resources easily because the childminder organises them well with the needs of different age groups in mind. She ensures that she is able to give children the attention and play experiences they need. For example, during holiday times she plans her service so that she has fewer younger children. This means that she is able to be more adventurous when planning outings for the older children. She has effective links with other local childminders so that outings can be jointly organised and suitable arrangements can be made for emergency cover.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has a clear commitment to the further development of her service. She is working towards gaining National Vocational Qualifications in childcare and she takes advantage of local opportunities for training as they arise. She also uses materials produced by the National Childminding Association to help her to evaluate and update her practice. Record keeping is generally maintained well, although in some instances additional detail is needed. The childminder has devised some written policies and procedures which are shared with parents. Overall, the needs of the range of children attending are being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder obtain the necessary checks when her younger daughter reached sixteen. This has been fully addressed. The childminder has a good awareness of her responsibilities to ensure that Ofsted is kept informed of any future changes in the household so that the required checks can be completed. These measures help to protect children and keep them safe. It was also recommended that she obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency treatment. The childminder has now introduced a system for securing this along with other parental consents. This helps to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with parents wishes and that suitable action can be taken in the event of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 take account of the following recommendation(s): • review the arrangements made for recording medication to ensure that details of dosage are clearly noted • continue to develop the written materials provided for parents about important aspects of the service provided.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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